InterGlobe’s Air Taxi Service to Revolutionize Urban Transportation: 90-Minute Trips in Just 7 Minutes
In just three years, the Indian skyline is poised for a groundbreaking transformation in transportation. InterGlobe Enterprises has joined forces with American innovator Archer Aviation, marking a strategic move by the driving force behind IndiGo to launch an electrifying air taxi service. India’s foremost airline is gearing up to provide a cost-effective solution that addresses the persistent challenge of urban traffic congestion.
Named ‘Midnight,’ this electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is set to revolutionize the game. Boasting a range of 161 kilometres, the aircraft can comfortably accommodate a pilot and four passengers. The service is slated to introduce 200 ‘Midnight’ planes, commencing operations in India’s most congested cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
This upcoming air taxi service is poised to redefine intra-city travel, turning what is currently a 60 to 90-minute car journey into a remarkable 7-minute flight. The initiative extends beyond passenger services, as InterGlobe envisions deploying the eVTOL aircraft for cargo transport and emergency medical services.
In addition to passenger services, InterGlobe’s vision encompasses the utilization of these eVTOL aircraft for logistics, medical emergencies, and private charters. Archer Aviation has already secured a substantial deal with the US Air Force and has set its sights on the UAE. The Indian market is now on the brink of a transformative shift in urban transportation by 2026.
Rahul Bhatia, the group managing director of the company, expressed enthusiasm about the new venture, stating, “Over the last two decades, InterGlobe has provided safe, efficient, and affordable transportation to hundreds of millions of Indians across the country. We are excited about this new opportunity to bring an effective, futuristic, and sustainable transport solution by introducing Archer’s electric aircraft to India.”
Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer (COO) of Archer Aviation, added, “At Archer, our goal is to make cities greener, smarter, more efficient places to live. We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Rahul and the InterGlobe team to bring our Midnight aircraft to Indian cities and fundamentally transform mobility across the country, starting with Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.”